India women defend kabaddi gold with 37-34 win over Iran

The final whistle rang as India sealed a 37-34 win over Iran, with Sanju Devi and Pushpa Rana lifting the gold as teammates embraced on the mat¹⁶. The triumph marked a fourth Asian Games gold in women’s kabaddi for India, who had built a 22-16 lead by halftime and weathered a determined Iran push in the second half^16,21.

India’s win underscored a sustained continental dominance, as the hosts pressed through precise left-flank attacks and highly coordinated raids that kept Iran’s defense on edge while the clock drained away, even as Iran fought back through bonus points and a recharged, disciplined defense to narrow the gap on several occasions^18,16.

The result matters beyond the scoreboard: it reinforces India’s status as the sport’s powerhouse, fuels calls for a professional women’s league, and strengthens the case for kabaddi’s Olympic future, a narrative Pushpa Rana framed as a step toward wider global recognition¹⁰.

India now turns its attention to sustaining the double-gold run on women’s and men’s kabaddi, even as the broader Asian Games program pushes to grow the sport beyond the continent and widen participation and visibility for future generations^15,21.